Multi-conductor cable connector having more than one coaxial cable and method thereof
A multi-conductor cable connector for coaxial cables is provided, the connector including a cable connection portion, wherein the cable connection portion receives a prepared multi-conductor cable having a plurality of conductive strands concentrically sharing a common central axis, and a multi-contact portion coupled to the cable connection portion, the multi-contact portion having a plurality of contacts non-concentrically aligned with the cable connection portion. The connector may also include elements configured to seize the coaxial cables, such as posts, a clamping element and a fastening member. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided. In one embodiment three contacts may be used with one of them electrically connected to the outer conductors of two coaxial cables while the other two contacts are to be electrically connected to center conductors of the two cables.
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The following relates to multi-conductor communications, and more specifically to embodiments of a multi-conductor cable connector having more than one coaxial cable.
BACKGROUNDTraditional connectors for balanced audio cables, DMX lighting cables, mains power cables, and speaker cables have terminals/contacts which are non-coaxial and typically are connected to wire by soldering, set screw, or clamp. Often, multi-conductor cables have a pair of twisted wires surrounded by a braided shield. Common multi-conductor cable connectors utilize multiple electrically isolated terminals/contacts corresponding to the multiple conductive strands of the multi-conductor cable. Typically, each of the conductive strands of a multi-conductor cable is soldered to respective terminals/contacts of a corresponding common multi-conductor cable connector. Using a multi-conductor cable, such as a triaxial cable and a specially formed connector to effect proper alignment can avoid the hassles and problems associated with soldering; however, multi-conductor cables are somewhat inflexible and require the use of non-standard trimming tools which adds to the difficulty in preparing the multi-conductor cable, and adds to the complexity of the specially formed connectors.
Thus, a need exists for an apparatus and method for efficiently ensuring proper connection of the multiple conductive strands while maintaining the benefits of a coaxial cable, such as ease of preparation and RF shielding properties.
SUMMARYA first general aspect relates to a multi-conductor cable connector comprising a cable connection portion, wherein the cable connection portion receives at least two prepared coaxial cables each having a plurality of conductive strands concentrically sharing a common central axis; and a multi-contact portion coupled to the cable connection portion, the multi-contact portion having a plurality of contacts non-concentrically aligned with the cable connection portion.
A second general aspect relates to a multi-conductor cable connector comprising a first post configured to receive a first prepared coaxial cable; a second post configured to receive a second prepared coaxial cable; a clamping element configured to seize the received first and second prepared coaxial cables; and a connector body disposed over the first post and the second post, wherein the connector body is in electrical communication with at least one conductive strand layer of the first and the second prepared coaxial cable to extend a shield through the connector; wherein the connector body surrounds a plurality of non-concentrically aligned electrical contacts.
A third general aspect relates to a multi-conductor cable connector device comprising: a first post, configured for receiving a portion of a first prepared coaxial cable, the first prepared coaxial cable having a center conductive strand and a conductive strand layer concentrically sharing a common central axis; a second post, configured for receiving a portion of a second prepared coaxial cable, the second prepared coaxial cable having a center conductive strand and a conductive strand layer concentrically sharing a common central axis; a clamping element configured to seize the first and second prepared coaxial cables; a connector body disposed over the first post and the second post; and a conductive member disposed within the connector body, the conductive member having a first opening for receiving a first electrical contact, a second opening for receiving a second electrical contact, and a third opening for receiving a third electrical contact; wherein the second electrical contact electrically communicates with the center conductive strand of the first coaxial cable to extend a first continuous electrical path through the connector, and the third electrical contact electrically communicates with the center conductive strand of the second coaxial cable to extend a second continuous electrical path through the connector.
A fourth general aspect relates to a multi-conductor cable connector comprising: a cable connection portion, wherein the cable connection portion receives at least two prepared coaxial cables having a plurality of conductive strands concentrically sharing a common central axis; a plurality of non-concentrically aligned electrical contacts; and means for coupling the plurality of non-concentrically aligned contacts to the cable connection portion to extend more than one continuous electrical path through the connector.
A fifth general aspect relates to a method of forming a multi-conductor cable connection, the method comprising providing a multi-conductor cable connector, the multi-conductor cable connector including: a cable connection portion, wherein the cable connection portion receives at least two prepared coaxial cable having a plurality of conductive strands concentrically sharing a common central axis; and a multi-contact portion coupled to the cable connection portion, the multi-contact portion having a plurality of contacts non-concentrically aligned with the cable connection portion; and mating the multi-conductor cable connector with a separate device having a corresponding plurality of mating electrical contacts to complete the electrical connection.
The foregoing and other features of construction and operation will be more readily understood and fully appreciated from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings.
Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:
A detailed description of the hereinafter described embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures. Although certain embodiments are shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present invention will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of embodiments of the present invention.
As a preface to the detailed description, it should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Referring to the drawings,
A multi-conductor cable connector embodiment 100 has a first end 1 and a second end 2, and can be provided to a user in a preassembled configuration to ease handling and installation during use. Multi-conductor cable connector 100 may be a XLR connector, XLR3 connector, any XLR-type connector, 3-contact connector, and the like. Embodiments of the connector 100 may have a cable connection portion 114. Embodiments of multi-conductor cable connector 100, 200, 300 may include a cable connection portion 114, 214, 314 wherein the cable connection portion 114, 214, 314 receives at least two prepared coaxial cables 10a, 10b each having a plurality of conductive strands 14a, 14b concentrically sharing a common central axis, and a multi-contact portion 113, 213, 313 coupled to the cable connection portion 114, 214, 314 the multi-contact portion 113, 213, 313 having a plurality of contacts 110, 120, 130, 210, 220, 230, 310, 320 non-concentrically aligned with the cable connection portion 114, 214, 314. The means for coupling the plurality of non-concentrically aligned contacts 110, 120, 130, 210, 220, 230, 310, 320 to the cable connection portion 114, 214, 314 to extend more than one continuous electrical path through the connector 100, 200, 300 may include various embodiments disclosed herein, including the cable connection portion 114, 214, 314 coupled to a multi-contact portion 113, 213, 313, configured to receive at least two coaxial cables 10a, 10b.
Referring now to
Referring now to
An embodiment of a cable connection portion 114 of connector 100 may include a first post 40 configured to receive a prepared portion of the first coaxial cable 10a (or one of the at least two coaxial cables), and a second post 40 configured to receive a prepared portion of the second coaxial cable 10b (or one of the at least two coaxial cables). The first post 40a and the second post 40b may share the same structural and functional aspects; thus, the first and second post 40a, 40b is described as a singular component. However, those skilled in the requisite art should appreciate that connector 100, 200 may include two or more posts for receiving two or more coaxial cables. The post 40a, 40b may include a first end 41a, 41b and an opposing second end 42a, 42b. Furthermore, the post 40a, 40b may include a thicker portion 45a, 45b proximate or otherwise near the first end 41a, 41b, where the thickness of the post 40a, 40b is greater than other sections of the post 40a, 40b. The thicker portion 45a, 45b has a first edge 43a and a second edge 44a, 44b. The first and second edges 43a, 43b, 44a, 44b may be perpendicularly aligned with the outer surface 46a, 46b of the post 40a, 40b, or may have any alignment or orientation that could provide a mating edge and/or surface for another component of the multi-conductor cable connector 100, 200. For example, the first and second edges 43a, 43b, 44a, 44b may form a right angle with the surface 46a, 46b of the post 40a, 40b, or be a tapered surface to accommodate different shaped components. The first edge 43a, 43b may be configured to make physical contact with a corresponding mating surface 56a, 56b of the first and second insulators 50a, 50b, respectively. For instance, the mating edge surface, such as first edge 43a, 43b of thicker portion 45a, 45b of the post 40a, 40b may abut, contact, communicate, border, touch, press against, and/or adjacently join with a mating surface, such as mating edge 56a, 56b, of the respective insulators 50a, 50b. Furthermore, the thicker portion 45a, 45b of the post 40a, 40b may be a raised portion, an annular extension, an oversized barrel portion, and the like, or may be a separate annular tubular member that tightly surrounds or generally substantially surrounds a portion of the post 40a, 40b, increasing the thickness of the post 40a, 40b for that particular section.
Moreover, the post 40a, 40b should be formed such that portions of a prepared coaxial cables 10a, 10b (as shown in
Referring still to
Referring still to
In one embodiment, the manner in which the cable connection portion 114 may be fastened to the at least two coaxial cables 10a, 10b may involve compaction of the clamping element 70, for example, by operation of a fastener member 60. For example, once received, or operably inserted into the connector 100, the at least two coaxial cables 10a, 10b may be securely set into position by compacting and deforming the outer surface 74 of clamping element 70 against the coaxial cables 10a, 10b thereby affixing the cable into position and sealing the connection. Compaction and deformation of the clamping element 70 may be effectuated by physical compression caused by a fastener member 60, wherein the fastener member 60 constricts and locks the clamping element 70 into place.
Referring still to
Moreover, the first insulator 50a, 50b should be made of non-conductive materials, such as an insulating material. Because the insulator 50a, 50b is made of insulating materials, the insulator 50a, 50b may electrically isolate the electrical paths through the connector 100, 200. For example, the first insulator 50a may electrically isolate the second electrical contact 120, 220 or path from the conductive member 30 and either the first post 40a (or the first conductive strand layer 14a), while making physical contact with the connector body 90 (or the conductive member 30) and the first post 40a. The second insulator 50b may electrically isolate the third electrical contact 130, 330 or path from the conductive member 30 and the second post 40b (or second conductive strand layer 14b), while making physical contact with the connector body 90 (or the conductive member 30) and the second post 40b. Manufacture of the insulator 50a, 50b may include casting, extruding, cutting, turning, drilling, compression molding, injection molding, spraying, or other fabrication methods that may provide efficient production of the component.
As described herein above with respect to the cable connection portion 114 of embodiments of a multi-conductor cable connector 100, similar structural and functional integrity may be maintained for similar component elements of a cable connection portion 214 of embodiments of a multi-conductor cable connector 200. The various component elements of a cable connection portion 114 of a multi-conductor cable connector 100, may be substantially similar in design and operability both separately and as assembled in a corresponding cable connection portion 214 of a multi-conductor cable connector device 200.
Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 4-5B, embodiments of a multi-conductor cable connector 100 may include a multi-contact portion 113. The multi-contact portion 113 may include a connector body 90, a first contact 110, a second contact 120, and a third contact 130. Multi-contact portion 113 may be any multi-conductor plug, such as an XLR, XLR3, any XLR type plug/cable, phone plug, audio plug, stereo plug, and the like.
Embodiments of a multi-contact portion 113 may include a connector body 90. The connector body 90 may be in electrical communication with at least one of (or both) the conductive strand layer 14a, 14b of the first and second coaxial cables 10a, 10b to extend a continuous ground/shield through the connector 100. The connector body 90 may have a first end 91, a second end 92, an inner surface 93, and an outer surface 94. The connector body 90 can have a generally axial opening from the first end 91 to a contact plate portion 95, which includes a plurality of openings 95a, 95b, 95c, and then another generally opening from the contact plate portion 95 to the second end 92. In embodiments of the multi-contact portion 113, 213 that include a separate conductive component, such as a conductive member 30, to establish an electrical ground path, the inner diameter of the connector body 90 may be large enough to allow a conductive member 30 to pass axially through the second end 92, or dimensioned such that the conductive member 30 may reside substantially within the connector body 90 proximate or otherwise near the second end 92. Moreover, the connector body 90 may include an internal lip 96 located within the generally axial opening of the connector body 90.
Moreover, the connector body 90 may include a plurality of openings 95a, 95b, 95c configured to accommodate the plurality of electrical contacts 110, 120, 130, 210, 220, 230, and a portion of a first and second insulator 50a, 50b. For instance, the connector body 90 may include first opening 95a, configured to receive a first electrical contact 110, 210. The contact between the first electrical contact 110, 210 and the connector body 90 may extend a ground through the connector 100, 200. Embodiments of connector body 90 may include a second opening 95b, configured to receive a portion of the first insulator 50a, wherein the second electrical contact 120, 220 enters the first insulator 50a. The physical and electrical contact between the second electrical contact 120, 220 (possibly via a first socket 125) and the center conductive strand 18a of the first coaxial cable 10a may extend a first continuous electrical path through the connector 100, 200. Embodiments of the connector body 90 may include a third opening 95c, configured to receive a portion of the second insulator 50b, wherein the third electrical contact 130, 230 enters the second insulator 50b. The physical and electrical contact between the third electrical contact 130, 230 (possibly via a second socket 135) and the center conductive strand 18b of the first coaxial cable 10b may extend a second continuous electrical path through the connector 100, 200. The plurality of openings 95a, 95b, 95c may be located on a portion of the connector body 90, such as a contact plate 95 that extends radially inward towards a central axis of the connector 100, 200. The contact plate 95 is structurally integral with the connector body 90, and may annularly extend around the inner surface 93 of the connector body 90. In other words, a face, or surface, of the contact plate 95 may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the inner surface 93 of the connector body 90.
Furthermore, embodiments of the one or more openings 95a, 95b, 95c of connector body 90 may have any orientation that may correspond with the structural positioning of the plurality of electrical contacts 110, 120, 130, or 210, 220, 230. Any of the openings 95a, 95b, 95c may be larger than the other. For example, the third opening 95c may have a larger diameter than the second opening 95b to accommodate larger diameter contacts. Moreover, the connector 100, 200 may have various non-concentric alignments of the electrical contacts 110, 120, 130, or 210, 220, 230. In one embodiment, the non-concentric alignment of the contacts 110, 120, 130 or 210, 220, 230 may resemble an isosceles or right triangle. Accordingly, the structural location of the openings 95a, 95b, 95c of the connector body 90 may change to accommodate the various alignments of the plurality of electrical contacts, such as contacts 110, 120, 130 or 210, 220, 230. Because there may be various non-concentric alignments of the contacts 110, 120, 130, or 210, 220, 230, the positioning of the openings 95a, 95b, 95c may vary. For example, in one embodiment, the second opening 95b and the third opening 95c are positioned in a side-by-side alignment. Because the first and second post 40a, 40b are in physical and electrical contact with the drawn back and exposed conductive strand layer 14a, 14b, respectively, the physical and electrical contact between at least one of (or both) the first post 40a (e.g. thicker portion 45a) and the second post 40b (e.g. thicker portion 45b) and the connector body 90 establishes and maintains a continuous electrical ground/shield path between the connector body 90 and at least one of (or both) the first post 40a and the second post 40a. Alternatively, physical and electrical contact between at least one of (or both) the conductive strand layers 14a, 14b of the first and second coaxial cables 10a, 10b and the connector body 90 establishes and maintains a continuous electrical ground/shield path between the connector body 90 and at least one of (or both) the conductive strand layers 14a, 14b of the first and second coaxial cables 10a, 10b.
Furthermore, connector body 90 may include an annular recess 97 located proximate or otherwise near the first end 91. The connector body 90 may also include a tapered surface 98 which resides proximate or otherwise near the outer annular recess 97. The combination of the annular recess 97 and the second inner diameter may lead to a smaller thickness proximate or otherwise near the first end 91 than the thickness proximate the second end 92. Moreover, an opening 99, 199 may be located on the outer rim of the connector body 90 proximate or otherwise near the first end 91. The opening 99 may accept, receive, engage, interact with a shaft-like spline of a female type connector to ensure that the male multi-conductor cable connector 101 twists, moves, rotates, etc. with a female multi-conductor cable connector 102 when movement occurs. The opening 99, 199 may be a notch, groove, channel, and the like. Additionally, a portion of the first, second, and third contacts 110, 120, 130 may be located within the general axial opening of the connector body 90, while the remaining portion of the contacts 110, 120, 130 may enter the cable connection portion 114. The connector body 90 may be formed of conductive or non-conductive materials, or a combination of conductive and non-conductive materials. For example the outer or external surface 94 of the connector body 90 may be formed of a polymer, while the remainder of the connector body 90 may be comprised of a metal or other conductive material to extend a shield through the connector 100, 200. Specifically, physical contact between the conductive portion of the connector body 90 and the first and second post 40a, 40b (or conductive member 30) may extend a continuous RF shield through the connector 100, 200. The connector body 90 can be formed of metals (or other suitable conductive material) or a combination of metals and polymers. Embodiments of connector body 90 may be a male connector body 190 or a female connector body 290. The male connector body 190 may be substantially similar to the structure and function of embodiments of connector body 90 described supra.
With reference now to
Furthermore, embodiments of the one or more openings 33, 34, 35 of conductive member 30 may have any orientation that may correspond with the structural positioning of the plurality of electrical contacts 110, 120, 130, or 210, 220, 230. Any of the openings 33, 34, 35 may be larger than the other. For example, the third opening 35 may have a larger diameter than the second opening 34 to accommodate larger diameter contacts. Moreover, the connector 100, 200 may have various non-concentric alignments of the electrical contacts 110, 120, 130, or 210, 220, 230. In one embodiment, the non-concentric alignment of the contacts 110, 120, 130 or 210, 220, 230 may resemble an isosceles or right triangle. Accordingly, the structural location of the openings 33, 34, 35 of the conductive member 30 may change to accommodate the various alignments of the plurality of electrical contacts, such as contacts 110, 120, 130 or 210, 220, 230. Because there may be various non-concentric alignments of the contacts 110, 120, 130, or 210, 220, 230, the positioning of the openings 33, 34, 35 may vary. For example, in one embodiment, the second opening 34 and the third opening 35 are positioned in a side-by-side alignment. To achieve various non-concentric alignments of the contacts 110, 120, 130, or 210, 220, 230 the structural positions of the connector body 90 and the conductive member 30 may have to be correspondingly modified to accommodate different contact 110, 120, 130, or 210, 220, 230 alignments.
Additionally, the conductive member 30 may include an outer edge mating surface 36 which faces the inner surface 93 of the connector body 90. While operably configured, the mating surface 36 may abut, contact, communicate, border, touch, press against, and/or adjacently join with the inner surface 93 of the connector body 90 to extend an electrical path, such as a RF shield through the connector body 90. Because the first and second post 40a, 40b are in physical and electrical contact with the drawn back and exposed conductive strand layer 14a, 14b, respectively, the physical and electrical contact between at least one of (or both) the first post 40a (e.g. thicker portion 45a) and the second post 40b (e.g. thicker portion 45b) and the conductive member 30 (e.g. thicker portion 45a press-fit within second opening 34 and/or thicker portion 45b press-fit within the third opening 35) establishes and maintains a continuous electrical ground/shield path between the conductive member 30 and at least one of (or both) the first post 40a and the second post 40a. Alternatively, physical and electrical contact between at least one of (or both) the conductive strand layers 14a, 14b of the first and second coaxial cables 10a, 10b and the conductive member 30 establishes and maintains a continuous electrical ground/shield path between the conductive member 30 and at least one of (or both) the conductive strand layers 14a, 14b of the first and second coaxial cables 10a, 10b a. Moreover, the conductive member 30 should be formed of conductive materials. Manufacture of the conductive member 30 may include casting, extruding, cutting, turning, rolling, stamping, photo-etching, laser-cutting, water-jet cutting, and/or other fabrication methods that may provide efficient production of the component.
Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 6A-6B, embodiments of a multi-conductor cable connector 200 is depicted. The multi-conductor cable connector embodiment 200 may have several similar features with a multi-conductor cable connector embodiment 100. However, the embodiment of a multi-conductor cable connector 200 may be a female connector 102. As such, the multi-conductor cable connector 200 may include a female connector body 290.
Furthermore, embodiments of the female connector body 290 of connector 201 may include a securing means 221. Securing means 221 may be a latching mechanism having a latch arm 223 and latch head 224. Securing means 221 may be any other securing means operable with a multi-conductor cable connector. Embodiments of latch head 224 may have a ramped surface(s) to releasably engage the male connector body 190. A lock button 225 may be operably associated with the latch arm 223 and latch head 224 to releasably secure the male multi-conductor cable connector 101 to the female multi-conductor cable connector 102. The lock button 225 may be exposed and/or accessible on the outer surface 294 of the female connector body 290. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that securing means 221 may be a variety of securing means typically associated with multi-conductor cables, such as XLR type cables.
Referring back to FIGS. 3A and 5A-5B, embodiments of a multi-contact portion 113 may include a first contact 110, a second contact 120, and a third contact 130. A contact may be a conductive element that may extend or carry an electrical current and/or signal from a first point to a second point. A contact may be a terminal, a pin, a conductor, an electrical contact, and the like. Contacts 110, 120, 130 may have various diameters, sizes, and may be arranged in any non-concentric alignment throughout the connector 100. Furthermore, a contact, such as the first, second, and third contacts 110, 120, 130 may be both female and male. The male electrical contacts may include spikes, or similar pointed protrusion, which may be configured to insert into the center conductive strand 18a, as depicted in
With continued reference to the drawings,
The electrical paths through the connector 100, 200 are now further described with reference to
A second electrical path through the connector 100 may be associated with a second contact 120. A first coaxial cable 10a of the two or more coaxial cables may include a center conductive strand 18a, which carries an electrical current or signal, and may be surrounded by a dielectric 16a, as depicted in
A third electrical path through the connector 100 may be associated with a third contact 130. A second coaxial cable 10b of the two or more coaxial cables may include a center conductive strand 18b, which carries an electrical current or signal, and may be surrounded by a dielectric 16b, as depicted in
Referring to
However, connector 300 may include a multi-contact portion 314 having less than three electrical contacts, such as a connector having two electrical contacts. For example, a multi-contact portion 313 of a multi-conductor cable connector 300 may include a first contact 310 and a second contact 320. In one non-limiting example, the first contact 310 and the second contact 320 may be banana plugs spaced apart from each other to correspond to a banana jack or banana receptacle on a speaker system. It should also be appreciated that a multi-contact portion of a multi-conductor cable connector may have more than three conductors, such as a connector having four electrical contacts. In embodiments having more than four electrical contacts, more than two coaxial cables may be received and utilized by a cable connection portion similar to the cable connection 114 as described herein
With reference to
Referring now to
While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. The claims provide the scope of the coverage of the invention and should not be limited to the specific examples provided herein.
Claims
1. A multi-conductor cable connector device comprising:
- a cable connection portion, wherein the cable connection portion is configured to at least partially receive at least two prepared coaxial cables; and
- a multi-contact portion coupled to the cable connection portion, the multi-contact portion having a plurality of contacts,
- wherein each contact of the plurality of contacts extends on a different axis,
- the plurality of contacts comprises a first contact, a second contact and a third contact,
- the first contact is configured to extend an electrical ground path through the multi-conductor cable connector device, the electrical ground path extending between each of the at least two prepared coaxial cables,
- the second contact is configured to extend a first electrical path of a first prepared coaxial cable of the at least two prepared coaxial cables; and
- the third contact is configured to extend a second electrical path of a second prepared coaxial cable of the at least two prepared coaxial cables.
2. The multi-conductor cable connector device of claim 1, wherein the cable connection portion includes:
- a first post configured to receive one of the at least two prepared coaxial cables;
- a second post configured to receive one of the at least two prepared coaxial cables;
- a clamping element configured to seize the at least two prepared coaxial cables; and
- a fastener member configured to compress the clamping element onto the at least two prepared coaxial cables.
3. The multi-conductor cable connector device of claim 1, wherein the multi-contact portion includes: a conductive member disposed within a connector body, the conductive member further including a plurality of openings.
4. The multi-conductor cable connector device of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two prepared coaxial cables includes a center conductive strand, a dielectric surrounding the center conductive strand, and a conductive strand layer surrounding the dielectric.
5. The multi-conductor cable connector device of claim 1, wherein the multi-contact portion includes: a connector body in electrical and physical contact with a post, the connector body including a plurality of openings.
6. A multi-conductor cable connector comprising:
- a first post configured to receive a first prepared coaxial cable;
- a second post configured to receive a second prepared coaxial cable;
- a clamping element configured to seize the received first and second prepared coaxial cables; and
- a connector body disposed over the first post and the second post, wherein the connector body is in electrical communication with at least one conductive strand layer of the first and the second prepared coaxial cable and is configured to extend a shield through the multi-conductor cable connector;
- wherein the connector body surrounds a plurality of electrical contacts,
- the plurality of contacts extend on different axes,
- the plurality of electrical contacts comprises a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact and a third electrical contact,
- the first electrical contact is configured to extend an electrical ground path through the multi-conductor cable connector, the electrical ground path extending between each of the first prepared coaxial cable and the second prepared coaxial cable,
- the second electrical contact is configured to extend a first electrical path of the first prepared coaxial cable, and
- the third electrical contact is configured to extend a second electrical path of the second prepared coaxial cable.
7. The multi-conductor cable connector of claim 6, wherein the multi-conductor cable connector is at least one of a female-type connector and a male-type connector.
8. The multi-conductor cable connector of claim 6, wherein the first prepared coaxial cable includes a center conductive strand which carries the first electrical path.
9. The multi-conductor cable connector of claim 6, wherein the second prepared coaxial cable includes a center conductive strand which carries the second electrical path.
10. The multi-conductor cable connector of claim 6, further comprising:
- a first insulator partially disposed within a first opening of the connector body and configured to receive the second electrical contact; and
- a second insulator partially disposed within a second opening of the connector body and configured to receive the third electrical contact;
- wherein the first and second insulators electrically isolate the second and third electrical contacts from the connector body.
11. A multi-conductor cable connector device comprising:
- a first post, configured to receive a portion of a first prepared coaxial cable, the first prepared coaxial cable having a first center conductive strand and a first conductive strand layer concentrically sharing a first common central axis;
- a second post, configured to receive a portion of a second prepared coaxial cable, the second prepared coaxial cable having a second center conductive strand and a second conductive strand layer concentrically sharing a second common central axis;
- a clamping element configured to seize the first and second prepared coaxial cables;
- a connector body disposed over the first post and the second post; and
- a conductive member disposed within the connector body, the conductive member having a first opening for receiving a first electrical contact, a second opening for receiving a second electrical contact, and a third opening for receiving a third electrical contact;
- wherein the first electrical contact is configured to electrically communicate a ground path through the multi-conductor cable connector device, the ground path extending between each of the first prepared coaxial cable and the second prepared coaxial cable,
- the second electrical contact is configured to electrically communicate with the first center conductive strand of the first coaxial cable and to extend a first continuous electrical path through the multi-conductor cable connector device, and
- the third electrical contact is configured to electrically communicate with the second center conductive strand of the second coaxial cable and to extend a second continuous electrical path through the multi-conductor cable connector device.
12. The multi-conductor cable connector device of claim 11, wherein the first electrical contact, second electrical contact, and third electrical contact are at least partially positioned within the connector body.
13. The multi-conductor cable connector of claim 11, wherein the first electrical contact, the second electrical contact, and the third electrical contact are non-concentrically aligned.
14. The multi-conductor cable connector device of claim 11, further comprising:
- a first insulator partially disposed within the second opening of the conductive member and configured to receive the second electrical contact; and
- a second insulator partially disposed within the third opening of the conductive member and configured to receive the third electrical contact;
- wherein the first and second insulators electrically isolate the second and third electrical contacts from the conductive member.
15. The multi-conductor cable connector device of claim 11, wherein a first socket is disposed within the second electrical contact and a second socket is disposed within the third electrical contact, and the first socket and the second socket are configured to facilitate physical and electrical contact through the multi-conductor cable connector device.
16. A method of forming a multi-conductor cable connection, the method comprising:
- providing a multi-conductor cable connector, the multi-conductor cable connector including: a cable connection portion, wherein the cable connection portion is configured to receive at least two prepared coaxial cables; and a multi-contact portion configured to be coupled to the cable connection portion, the multi-contact portion having a plurality of contacts, wherein the plurality of contacts extend on different axes, the plurality of contacts comprises a first contact, a second contact and a third contact, the first contact is configured to extend a ground path through the multi-conductor cable connector, the ground path extending between each of the at least two prepared coaxial cables, the second contact is configured to extend a first continuous electrical path of a first prepared coaxial cable of the at least two prepared coaxial cables, and the third contact is configured to extend a second continuous electrical path of a second prepared coaxial cable of the at least two prepared coaxial cables; and
- mating the multi-conductor cable connector with a separate device having a corresponding plurality of mating electrical contacts to complete an electrical connection.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the cable connection portion further includes:
- a first post configured to receive one of the at least two prepared coaxial cables;
- a second post configured to receive one of the at least two prepared coaxial cables;
- a clamping element configured to seize the at least two prepared coaxial cables; and
- a fastener member configured to compress the clamping element onto the at least two prepared coaxial cables.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the multi-conductor cable connector is configured to mate with at least one of a male-type connector or a female-type connector.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the multi-conductor cable connector is at least one of a male type connector and a female type connector.
20. The multi-conductor cable connector device of claim 1, wherein the at least two prepared coaxial cables comprises two prepared coaxial cables.
21. The multi-conductor cable connector device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of contacts comprises the first contact and at least one contact for each of at least two prepared coaxial cables.
22. The multi-conductor cable connector device of claim 1, wherein the cable connection portion comprises a fastener member configured to compress at least a portion of each of the at least two prepared coaxial cables.
23. The multi-conductor cable connector device of claim 1, wherein the electrical ground path comprises a continuous ground shield.
24. A multi-conductor cable connector comprising:
- a cable connection portion, wherein the cable connection portion receives at least two prepared coaxial cables each having a plurality of conductive strands concentrically sharing a common central axis; and
- a multi-contact portion coupled to the cable connection portion, the multi-contact portion having a plurality of contacts non-concentrically aligned with the cable connection portion,
- wherein the cable connection portion includes: a first post configured to receive one of the at least two prepared coaxial cables; a second post configured to receive one of the least two prepared coaxial cables; a clamping element configured to seize the at least two prepared coaxial cables; and a fastener member configured to compress the clamping element onto the at least two prepared coaxial cables.
25. The multi-conductor cable connector of claim 24, wherein the clamping element comprises a grommet.
26. The multi-conductor cable connector of claim 24, wherein the clamping element comprises a conductive material.
27. The multi-conductor cable connector of claim 24, wherein fastener member comprises a compression ring.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jun 3, 2011
Date of Patent: Dec 16, 2014
Patent Publication Number: 20120309227
Assignee: PPC Broadband, Inc. (East Syracuse, NY)
Inventor: Noah Montena (Syracuse, NY)
Primary Examiner: Neil Abrams
Application Number: 13/152,431
International Classification: H01R 9/05 (20060101);